My brother-in-law sent me an article. (The article also covers asthma)

These so-called allergy capitals are ranked based on pollen levels, use of allergy medications and the number of board-certified allergists in the areas, according to a foundation statement.Everyone in the United States can expect their allergies to be worse this year, thanks to an unusually wet winter, the foundation says."Severe weather patterns can bring higher temperatures, higher pollen levels and increased exposure to mold, resulting in spring allergies that can peak stronger and last longer," Dr. Bill Berger, a California allergist, said in the statement. Here are the top 10 worst allergy cities for 2013: 1. Jackson, Mississippi 2. Knoxville, Tennessee 3. Chattanooga, Tennessee 4. McAllen, Texas 5. Louisville, Kentucky 6. Wichita, Kansas 7. Dayton, Ohio8. Memphis, Tennessee 9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma10. Baton Rouge, LouisianaWhat do I take from this? (besides allergy shots?) Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Suffering from allergies produces the perseverance to go on among daily annoyances Persevering through allergies builds character by controlling my anger and feelings of "WHY ME" Character then leads to the hope of living in a pollen free place Hope will not disappoint - No Allergies in heaven, but not there yet!

Memphis in the Spring should remind us that we long for a better place, where creation and humans do not contend with each other. My exegesis might be suspect, but the application is right on!